Greens split over decision to block fuel excise increases

Lisa Cox, Mark Kenny

Could be compelled to vote in favour of the fuel tax rise: NSW Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon. Photo: Christopher Chan

Turmoil is continuing in the Greens over the decision to block inflation-based increases to fuel tax, as NSW branch members call on the party's national council to intervene.

A group of NSW Greens is pushing the party's national arm to demand the party room reverse its decision not to support the government's plan to restore the indexation of fuel excise.

A motion will be put to a national council meeting later this month. NSW branch members had advocated a change in the party's position at a meeting on Saturday.

One party source said the if restoration of fuel excise was not put to the Senate during this sitting of Parliament, the NSW party could use its August meeting to compel NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon to cross the floor and vote in favour of the fuel tax rise.

In a sign of the intense divisions over the issue, Senator Rhiannon invited members to have their say at Saturday's meeting, even though the policy had been finalised, setting up a situation in which the party room has one policy and the membership another.

It is understood Senator Rhiannon advocated for no change to be made to the party's stance but was outnumbered by party members who believed the Greens should be supporting higher costs for fuel.

The motion to be put to the national council puts further pressure on leader Christine Milne.